Unquestionably a hot topic, artificial intelligence (AI) has been heralded as a game-changer in several industries, including cybersecurity. There is a lot of talk about it, ranging from positive to negative and everything in between. Even Elon Musk and other prominent figures in technology are calling for the development of AI to be stopped or at least paused. While AI technology has countless fascinating and great implications for humanity, there are also a lot of negative and odd things that could occur. We talked in depth about this when the Metaverse was all the rage, but all the technological possibilities pale in comparison to what occurs when the most basic and straightforward of threats get into the wrong hands.
AI has the same potential for evil abuse as any other technological innovation. We must first adopt a hacker mentality in order to comprehend how AI will affect cybersecurity. Hackers favour using straightforward, uncomplicated, efficient, and affordable equipment and methods. AI is all of those things, particularly when used in basic ways. Therefore, we can anticipate future dangers by using our understanding of the hacker mindset.
The uproar over cyber hackers employing AI in cutting-edge technological ways misses the greater, more dangerous issue, which is that they may be anything, including nation-state sponsored groups and the most skilled cyber hacker syndicates. In order to trick people, AI is employed to mimic human behaviour. AI is able to target YOU when you:
- Select an trustworthy email.
- Answer the phone or reply to an SMS.
- Answer in chat
- Visit a trustworthy website
- Respond to a shady phone call
In the same way that AI simplifies daily tasks, it also facilitates cybercriminals’ attacks. The technology is being used to create convincing phishing emails that contain accurate spelling and grammar as well as information gathered about the target organization, its leaders, and the general public. Rapid, intelligent answers to communications are also powered by AI. AI is capable of quickly producing documents or webpages with payloads that appear authentic to users. Additionally, AI is employed to deliver a deep faked voice in real time in response to suspicious unwanted spam calls that record actual voices.
Simply the Start
Today’s hacking trends are heavily influenced by AI, but in low-tech ways. Although they have been used in secret on the internet for some time in surprisingly easy-to-use yet terrifying ways, AI tools are now openly accessible to the general public. It will turn out that the introduction of AI and the sharp increase in its usage are tied to the rising success rate of phishing campaigns, MITM (Man in the Middle) assaults, and ransomware.
The wider cybersecurity landscape is impacted by the usage of AI in phishing attempts. Cybercriminals and cybersecurity experts may engage in a “arms race” as a result of the ongoing development and improvement of AI-powered phishing schemes. This can lead to a rise in the need for AI-powered cybersecurity solutions, which might be expensive and difficult to implement.
Cybersecurity Response
- Individuals and corporations can take a number of precautions to guard against phishing attempts powered by AI, including:
- Raising awareness of the dangers of phishing attacks and how to spot them
putting strong authentication techniques, such multi-factor authentication, into practice - Utilising anti-phishing software to recognize and stop phishing attacks
- Putting cybersecurity solutions powered by AI into use to identify and stop phishing assaults powered by AI
- Collaborating with a trustworthy Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) that possesses the depth, scope, and technology to prevent these threats
In homes, cars, TVs, and even outer space, AI is proliferating. A fascinating subject that has always piqued interest is the developing future of AI and sentient technologies. However, when AI is used against individuals, its shadowy side becomes apparent. Despite the fact that (yet) there is no AI that can be connected into people, this marks the start of an arms race. Beware, users.
